“So much for being injured.” She rubbed her cheek and raised her voice. “Looks like someone wanted to avoid fighting for his own honor. The princess will never choose a coward.”

Ian glared up at the royal platform. The princess no longer sat in her seat and he shook his head. “I can ruin you, girl. Commoners like you are a scourge on this kingdom.”

“And merchants like you destroy everything you touch.”

He leaned closer and before Dell could stop him, he pressed his lips to hers. Dell shoved himself between them but not before Ian yelped and jumped back. “She bit me.” He searched their surroundings. “Guards. This woman assaulted me.”

Assaulting a merchant—whether or not you did it—had strict penalties.

Dell took Len by the arm. “Want to get out of here?”

Her eyes flicked to the king, indecision warring in her gaze. She flipped the knife in her hand and shoved it back into the sheath, giving him a nod.

Guards ran toward them and Dell pulled Len into a run. He never lost his grip on her hand as they weaved their way to the arena gates and out into the city. Heavy footsteps sounded behind them.

“The stables,” Dell said, changing direction. He pulled Len along as her short legs struggled to keep up. Her breaths came out in harsh pants.

Behind the arena sat the largest stables in the city. Only merchants had the privilege of using them. They slowed to a walk. Dell glanced over his shoulder. The guards had stopped at the gates of the arena, not bothering to chase them.

The guard at the stable door eyed him curiously before recognition lit in his eyes. Ian and Reed had made Dell bring their horses to the stables. He wound through the rows of stalls, making sure Len was still behind him.

Horse-Ian lifted his head as Dell stepped in front of him. “Alright, ye old bastard, we need to get out of here.”

Horse-Ian snorted as his lips pulled back to show his teeth.

Dell swung the worn wooden stall door open and lifted the saddle from where it hung on a brass hook.

“Hurry,” Len whispered, throwing a glance toward the door.

Dell didn’t understand why she was so worried. They wouldn’t come after two people who didn’t matter.

Dell listened for any sign of the guards. “We’ll be fine,” he said.

“Are you sure?”

“You’re the one who seems to have skill with that knife of yours.” He lifted a brow. “You can just fight them off.”

Her mouth dropped open.

A laugh burst out of Dell. “I’m kidding. We’ll be fine, but if it makes you feel better, we can change our appearances. They’d look for a shirtless man and someone in a hood, give me your cloak.”